Design, Architecture, Gardens, Southern California Living

Spring garden tours and events in Southern California

April 13, 2010 | 7:17
am

PNow that spring is in full swing, here's a list of upcoming garden tours. Be sure to check websites for more information and updates, because some events do sell out. Your suggestions are welcome too via reader comments.

April 18: The 51st annual garden tour of the Santa Monica Bay Auxiliary, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles will feature six gardens in Santa Monica, Brentwood and Pacific Palisades. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Refreshments and boutique included. $35. Tickets may be purchased on the day of the tour at any of the gardens, including 534 Tenth St., Santa Monica, and 1667 N. Amalfi Drive, Pacific Palisades. (310) 395-3713.

April 25: The self-guided Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase will feature nearly 80 drought-resistant landscapes including the one pictured above. 2 to 6 p.m. Free. Website has details and addresses for each garden.

April 25: The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days tour of six private gardens in Pasadena includes Rancho La Loma, a Spanish-style house of the late 1800s with a terraced vineyard on one acre; and the landmark Greene & Greene 1907 Blacker House. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to each garden is $5; no reservations are required. Maps and discounted admission tickets will be available at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, 125 S. Grand Ave., from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (888) 842-2442.

April 25: The Fullerton Beautiful Open Gardens self-guided tour begins at the Fullerton College Horticulture Department on Berkeley Avenue, east of Lemon Street. Nine gardens will be featured; some are drought tolerant. $10. Pick up a map of locations 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (714) 871-4156.

May 1: The annual Venice Garden and Home Tour will feature 25 to 30 properties, including landscape designer Jay Griffith's office as well as contemporary homes designed by Steven Ehrlich, Marmol Radziner, Callas Shortridge and Charles Ward. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $60 in advance, $70 day of event. Tour starts at 804 Broadway Ave., Venice.

Keep reading for more tour listings ...

May 1-2: The Mary Lou Heard Memorial Garden Tour "Real Gardens by Real People” features more than 30 gardens from San Juan Capistrano to Long Beach.. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donation. (714) 566-4800.

May 8: The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days tour for Los Angeles covers seven homes in the Windsor Square area. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to each garden is $5. Maps and discounted admission tickets will be available at the Ronnie Allumbaugh Gardens at Getty House, 605 S. Irving Blv., Los Angeles, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (888) 842-2442.

May 8: The 11th annual self-guided Open Doors Home and Garden Tour features properties in the Huntington Harbor, Seacliff and Southeast communities. Includes lunch and boutique at the Huntington Beach Arts Center. $50. (714) 915-1568.

May 16: The Huntington Botanical Gardens 36th annual spring plant sale will include thousands of rare varieties, many difficult to find at nurseries. Edibles will include heirloom tomato seedlings, colorful chiogga beets, white alpine strawberries, purple string beans, herbs for delicious teas, even hops for the home brewer. 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members can shop early at a preview sale May 15. Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. Free. (626) 405-2100.

May 22: Pasadena Heritage hosts the lecture and walking tour “Uncovering History
in Pasadena’s Busch Gardens.” The lecture begins at 10 a.m. in the auditorium of Westridge School, 324 Madeline Drive, Pasadena followed by the tours which will last approximately two hours. $22. (626) 441-6333.

June 5: The San Clemente Garden Tour features six coastal gardens in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $25 in advance; $30 at the door. (949) 498-2818.

-- Lisa Boone

Photo credit: G3, the Green Gardens Group

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